The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated a significant and independent review to address the alarming rise in the number of young people who are not in employment, education, or training.
Milburn to Lead Probe into 'National Outrage'
Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn will spearhead the investigation, which was officially launched on 16 December 2025. He has pledged that his report will confront "uncomfortable truths" and will not avoid proposing "radical" policy changes where necessary.
Mr Milburn highlighted the scale of the crisis, stating: "Nearly 1 million young people in Britain are not in education, employment or training – and that number has been rising for four years. This is a national outrage – it’s both a social injustice and an economic catastrophe."
Focus on Health and Disability Barriers
A central focus of the review will be to examine the role of mental health issues and disability in driving youth inactivity. This comes after a sharp increase in the number of 16- to 24-year-olds claiming health-related benefits.
The investigation will be supported by a newly formed Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel, which includes experts and individuals with lived experience. The panel, convened with support from the Youth Futures Foundation, held its first meeting immediately following the launch in Peterborough.
At the launch event, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "Too many young people are being denied the opportunity to reach their full potential, and it is a crisis we cannot ignore."
Calls for Evidence and Hopes for Change
The review is now actively calling for evidence to build a comprehensive understanding of the problem. Barry Fletcher, CEO of the Youth Futures Foundation, emphasised the need for data and personal testimony, stating evidence and the voices of young people are "essential to finding system-wide solutions."
A young ambassador for the foundation, Ishrat, who is also a member of the advisory group, expressed optimism: "Mental health conditions and disabilities are genuine barriers for us... I’m glad that our lived experiences are finally being recognised and valued. I have hope that the final report will lead to real, lasting change."
The ultimate goal of the DWP review is to identify the root causes of rising youth inactivity and recommend actionable policies to reverse the trend, thereby reducing long-term welfare costs and unlocking the potential of a generation.
